By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Newly appointed Shillong Lajong head coach Desmond Donaldson Bulpin, who officially took charge of the team on Friday, said that the Reds need to tighten up their defence and score more goals if they want to fare better in the upcoming I-League.
Bulpin replaces Pradhyum Reddy as coach of the Shillong side following a poor season in the I-League.
“Obviously there is a problem at the back for conceding goals and there is a massive problem up front for scoring goals,” the Scotsman, who was also the former head coach of the Indian Arrows, the U-23 national team, said.
Lajong gave away 44 goals in the last I-League season, while scoring a paltry 24.
“There are four basic corners that we need to keep in mind while grooming our boys viz. tactical, social, mental and physical.”
The next two weeks will focus on their fitness. “The boys will be eating at the Club house for the next two weeks and I want them to realise the importance of diet. I want them stronger, fitter and more powerful,” Bulpin said.
On his 19th job, the Scottish coach said that the focus will be on providing opportunities to younger players from the Academy.
“Six of my boys from the U-23 team were selected for the national side and I got the sack. But I am proud of what I did there (with Indian Arrows),” Bulpin said.
He reiterated that with the focus Lajong has on youth, the same feat can be achieved here.
“With a small budget, we have to make the right decision on the foreigners we bring in. It’s also important that boys from the Academy are groomed in order to make sure that we bring in most of the local players,” he said.
He pointed out that the stress should be on building a club and not buying one and that scouting of talent from all over the North East can take the club a long way.
Bulpin said that he was excited to be a part of the team with a strong fan base and football-loving culture.
He also urged the fans to stand behind the team irrespective of the “wins and losses”. The Scot was also impressed with Lajong general secretary Larsing Ming, who according to him “has a vision for the Club”.